Shabby Chic Coffee Table from a Door

When decorating a shabby chic living room, you can make a great coffee table out of a discarded door. Whether you use the door as a top for an existing coffee table, or have the necessary woodworking skills to build a table base from scratch to use, you will be able to add an unusual decorative table to your room for very little money.

Choosing a Door

When choosing a door for a shabby chic coffee table, select one with a flat surface instead of one with paneled construction. If you are using a full sized room door and plan to cut it down to size, you will either have to use a solid door or fix the cut end of a hollow constructed door so that you don't have an open edge. You can also use other types of doors effectively to make smaller coffee tables, such as using a large cabinet door or a door from another discarded piece of furniture.

All text copyright angelaglancy. Photo from Flikr - "Josh's coffee table" courtesy of miajudkins.

Constructing the Coffee Table

One of the easiest ways to make a shabby chic coffee table from a door is to start with an existing coffee table. You can either detach the top of the table from the base, or simply screw the new door top to the existing coffee table top, making sure it is cut down so that it doesn't show around the edges of the new top. To make finishing the table easier, scuff up the finish on the existing coffee table before adding the new top, and apply a coat of primer, allowing time to dry. Then, attach the new top to the table using either using the same screws that held the original top if you removed it, or wood screws if you are attaching the door top directly to the existing table top. If you are building your own base for the coffee table, make sure to also give the wood a coat of primer.

All text copyright angelaglancy. Photo from Flikr - "Cheap Coffee Table" courtesy of The Lone Traveler.

Painting the Coffee Table

White, off-white or cream often work well as colors for a shabby chic coffee table, but you can also choose other colors that would work well in your room, such as a light yellow or other pastel shade. Before adding the paint finish, first give the table top a coat of primer, and allow time to dry. Then, apply a coat of paint, both on the legs and base of the table as well as the table top. Allow to dry, and then apply a second coat if needed to provide good coverage.

Adding Shabby Chic Appeal

Wait until the paint is completely dry. Then, use sandpaper to scuff the table along the edges of the top, as well as the edges of the legs in the areas that would naturally get the most wear, to give the table a nice shabby chic worn appearance. You can use some light brown stain on a soft cloth to wipe on these areas to accentuate the worn appearance if desired. Allow the stain to dry, and enjoy your new shabby chic coffee table. Finish off the room with a vintage inspired wall art metal grille or add a point of unexpected juxtaposition with a contemporary metal wall art hung over the fireplace.

All text copyright angelaglancy. Photo from Flikr - "French Country Kitchen" courtesy of Vagabond Shutterbug.